Noise-induced Hearing Loss (Mining)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average (a) settlement and (b) costs paid for miners' noise-induced hearing loss cases has been in each year since 1999.

Malcolm Wicks: Compensation and costs paid for miners' hearing loss claims since 1999 are set out in the table:
	
		
			   £ 
			  Average damages Average solicitors costs 
		
		
			 1999 2,293 790 
			 2000 2,357 704 
			 2001 2,394 721 
			 2002 2,286 738 
			 2003 2,007 823 
			 2004 2,392 1,152 
			 2005 2,173 1,182 
			 2006 2,070 1,256

Defence Export Services Organisation

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the annual budget has been for the Defence Export Services Organisation in each of the last 10 years.

Adam Ingram: Operating costs which are available for the last eight financial years are given as follows. Forecast costs are given for financial year 2005–06.
	
		
			£ million 
			 Financial year Expenditure Receipts Net operating costs 
		
		
			 1998–99 45.359 -29.342 16.017 
			 1999–2000 46.473 -34.977 11.496 
			 2000–01 55.81 -41.430 14.380 
			 2001–02 48.930 -37.853 11.077 
			 2002–03 56.944 -44.407 11.944 
			 2003–04 58.348 -42.203 16.145 
			 2004–05 59.960 -43.038 16.922 
			 2005–06 51.6 -38.0 13.6 
		
	
	The net operating costs include credits to the defence budget arising from a range of activities of the Defence Export Services Organisation, including those of the Disposal Services Agency until it was transferred to the Defence Logistics Organisation on 1 April 2005.

Delivery Unit

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what Government (a) top delivery and reform priorities and (b) targets for the Delivery Unit is focusing.

Jim Murphy: The Prime Minister's Delivery Unit (PMDU) is focusing on providing support to civil service departments on aspects of delivery of:
	health system reform;
	education system reform; and
	police reform,
	as well as leading a programme of departmental reviews designed to improve departments' performance in pursuing their current missions and tackling future challenges.
	The PMDU is also focusing on monitoring and providing challenge and support to the following public service agreement (PSA) targets arising from SR04. These include:
	Department of Health
	Increasing the participation of problem drug users in drug treatment
	Improving health outcomes for people with long term conditions
	Ensuring maximum 18 weeks waiting time between GP referral and hospital treatment
	Department for Education and Skills
	Young people reaching 19 ready for skilled employment or higher education
	Reducing the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training
	GCSE attainment at age 16
	Attainment at key stages 2 and 3
	Reducing drug use in young people
	Reducing school absence
	Home Office
	Improving the delivery of justice
	Reassuring the public about crime and the criminal justice system
	Ensuring an effective asylum process
	Reducing crime
	Reducing the harms caused by illegal drugs
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
	Delivering a faster and more efficient planning system.
	The unit also monitors a number of targets from the previous spending review including:
	reducing criminal reoffending;
	inpatient and outpatient maximum waiting times; and
	provision of patient choice in the NHS.
	All PSA targets are monitored either by HMT or PMDU. PMDU regularly reviews its contribution to target areas in conjunction with HMT and No. 10, and would normally continue to be involved in workstreams until the target was met or where it could be confident that the target was on target to be met.

GDP

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the gross domestic product per capita was in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Wales, (d) Scotland and (e) Northern Ireland in each year since 1976.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell dated 24 April 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in UK, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in each year since 1976.(64197).
	Estimates of GDP per capita for the years 1976 to 1988 are shown in table A. For the years 1989 to 2004 , estimates of Gross Value Added 1 (GVA) per capita are shown in table B. GVA is similar in concept to GDP but the estimates are not directly comparable.
	The figures in table A are based on data published in 1998, the last time estimates for 1976 to 1988 were updated. Figures in tableB are based on regional GVA published in December 2005. Estimates for 2005 are expected to be published in December of this year.
	1 Gross value added (GVA) is gross domestic product (GDP) less taxes (plus subsidies) on products. These data are current price estimates which are not adjusted for changes in prices over time.
	
		Table A: Gross domestic product per capita 1976 to 1988(18) £
		
			  United Kingdom England Wales Scotland Northern Ireland 
		
		
			 1976 1,968 1,989 1,708 1,927 1,582 
			 1977 2,291 2,295 1,966 2,190 1,805 
			 1978 2,630 2,639 2,204 2,452 2,023 
			 1979 3,052 3,019 2,517 2,802 2,334 
			 1980 3,555 3,481 2,867 3,212 2,664 
			 1981 3,869 3,738 3,070 3,542 2,882 
			 1982 4,221 4,070 3,515 3,842 3,175 
			 1983 4,635 4,436 3,789 4,230 3,472 
			 1984 4,946 4,698 3,966 4,440 3,720 
			 1985 5,432 5,213 4,279 4,911 4,050 
			 1986 5,774 5,745 4,817 5,324 4,467 
			 1987 6,327 6,291 5,332 5,826 4,784 
			 1988 7,023 7,053 6,010 6,473 5,303 
		
	
	(18)Gross Domestic Product per head for 1976–1988 is based on data from the National Accounts Blue Book 1997. As the regional estimates of GDP and GVA are produced on a different basis, they cannot be used in conjunction to form a time series.
	
		Table B: Gross value added per capita 1989 to 2004 £
		
			  United Kingdom England Wales Scotland Northern Ireland 
		
		
			 1989 8,086 8,078 6,715 7,735 5,921 
			 1990 8,761 8,751 7,234 8,449 6,467 
			 1991 9,119 9,107 7,451 8,924 6,890 
			 1992 9,484 9,473 7,764 9,338 7,257 
			 1993 9,960 9,944 8,106 9,776 7,718 
			 1994 10,505 10,470 8,571 10,350 8,171 
			 1995 11,015 10,956 9,026 10,857 8,703 
			 1996 11,699 11,608 9,431 11,402 9,275 
			 1997 12,347 12,324 9,822 11,952 9,743 
			 1998 13,056 13,126 10,189 12,449 10,296 
			 1999 13,622 13,691 10,506 12,847 10,766 
			 2000 14,290 14,247 10,917 13,312 11,241 
			 2001 14,944 14,938 11,515 13,864 11,731 
			 2002 15,691 15,711 12,067 14,658 12,274 
			 2003 16,485 16,521 12,716 15,523 12,893 
			 2004 17,258 17,188 13,292 16,157 13,482

Unemployment

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what changes in the level of unemployment there have been in West Lancashire constituency in each year since 2003;
	(2)  what the level of youth unemployment has been in (a) West Lancashire constituency, (b) Lancashire and (c) the UK in each year since 1983.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 24 April 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about unemployment. (64116, 64294)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation definitions.
	Table 1 shows the numbers of unemployed, resident in the West Lancashire Parliamentary Constituency for the 12 month periods ending February 2003 to February 2004 and for the 12 months ending December 2004.
	Table 2 shows the numbers of unemployed aged 16 to 24 resident in the West Lancashire constituency, Lancashire, and the United Kingdom for the, 12 month periods ending February 1995 to February 2004 and for the 12 months ending December 2004.
	These estimates, as with any from sample surveys, are subject to a margin of uncertainty. Changes in the estimates from year to year should be treated with particular caution.
	ONS also compiles statistics for local areas of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). Table 3 shows the annual average number of JSA claimants, and changes in levels, for claimants resident in the West Lancashire constituency since 2003.
	Table 4 shows the annual average number of claimants, aged 18 to 24, resident in the West Lancashire constituency, Lancashire, Great Britain and the United Kingdom since 1986. Data for earlier years area not available on a consistent basis.
	
		Table 1: Unemployed resident in the West Lancashire parliamentary constituency Thousand
		
			 12 months ending: Number of unemployed 
		
		
			 February 2003 3 
			 February 2004 2 
			 December 2004 3 
		
	
	Source:
	Annual Population Survey.
	
		Table 2: Youth unemployed resident in West Lancashire parliamentary constituency, Lancashire and the United Kingdom Thousand
		
			 12 months ending: West Lancashire Lancashire United Kingdom 
		
		
			 February 1995 1 13 n/a 
			 February 1996 2 12 727 
			 February 1997 2 11 684 
			 February 1998 1 9 616 
			 February 1999 (19)— 6 583 
			 February 2000 2 11 556 
			 February 2001 (19)— 9 535 
			 February 2002 2 9 525 
			 February 2003 1 9 553 
			 February 2004 2 9 557 
			 December 2004 1 12 559 
		
	
	n/a=Not available.
	(19)Disclosive sample size.
	Source:
	Annual Population Survey.
	
		Table 3: JSA claimants resident in the West Lancashire parliamentary constituency
		
			 Annual average Number of claimants Change 
		
		
			 2003 1,659 n/a 
			 2004 1,492 -167 
			 2005 1,534 42 
		
	
	n/a=Not available.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus administrative systems.
	
		Table 4: JSA claimants, aged 18 to 24, resident in West Lancashire parliamentary constituency, Lancashire, Great Britain and the United Kingdom; annual averages 1986 to 2005 Number of JSA claimants aged 18 to 24(20)
		
			 Annual average West Lancashire Lancashire Great Britain United Kingdom 
		
		
			 1986 n/a 17,230 941,205 n/a 
			 1987 n/a 14,465 806,910 n/a 
			 1988 n/a 11,570 626,450 n/a 
			 1989 n/a 8,670 480,100 n/a 
			 1990 n/a 8,120 458,670 n/a 
			 1991 n/a 11,100 660,925 n/a 
			 1992 n/a 12,930 775,470 n/a 
			 1993 n/a 12,430 780,455 n/a 
			 1994 n/a 10,590 685,570 n/a 
			 1995 n/a 9,185 597,350 619,000 
			 1996 1,020 8,095 522,250 543,050 
			 1997 810 6,160 390,100 406,415 
			 1998 725 5,455 324,305 339,000 
			 1999 655 5,030 281,790 294,125 
			 2000 530 4,400 250,270 261,470 
			 2001 480 4,140 230,405 241,220 
			 2002 460 4,025 232,170 242,930 
			 2003 465 3,945 238,720 249,055 
			 2004 415 3,690 226,685 235,910 
			 2005 450 4,040 244,435 253,480 
		
	
	n/a=Not available.
	(20)Computerised claims only. Data rounded to nearest 5 for disclosure control.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus administrative systems.

Craigavon Bridge

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there are plans to provide additional signage indicating vehicle height restrictions for Craigavon bridge in Derry.

Shaun Woodward: The chief executive of the Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 21 April 2006
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding whether there are plans to provide additional signage indicating vehicle height restrictions for Craigavon Bridge in Derry.
	As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
	You will be aware that an incident occurred on 11 April 2006, in which an articulated lorry became lodged on the lower deck of the Craigavon Bridge. Our local officials have checked both the structure of the bridge and the adequacy of the signage and I can advise that damage to the bridge was slight, and that the signage for the lower deck, which was up-graded a few years ago, exceeds the required standard.
	I should explain that Roads Service is required to sign all bridges with headroom less than 166 in order to warn drivers of high-sided vehicles of a potential hazard ahead. Accordingly, prominent triangular warning signs advising of a height restriction of 143 (4.3m) have been erected both on the lower deck of Craigavon Bridge and at several locations on the immediate approaches. Further prominent signage advising that the lower deck of the bridge is unsuitable for large vehicles" has been included on advance signage at the wider approaches to the bridge.
	As you will understand, it is the responsibility for drivers of high-sided lorries to know the height and width of their vehicle and to take notice of both advanced signage and of warning signs in the immediate vicinity of a low structure. You may be interested to know that the Ordnance Survey, in association with Roads Service and Northern Ireland Railways, has produced a map, which has been widely advertised, showing all the low structures across Northern Ireland.

Pupil Injuries (Compensation)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been paid in Northern Ireland in compensation claims for injuries received by (a) pupils, (i) on school field trips and (ii) while at school and (b) teachers as a result of (A) assault and (B) accident while on duty in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: I have been advised that the information requested is as follows.
	
		
			  £ 
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Pupils  
			 Field trip 1,618 15,614 10,851 153,057 0 
			 Injuries at school 369,945 182,008 363,422 289,509 221,726 
			   
			 Teachers  
			 Assault 0 0 3,000 0 5,000 
			 Accident on duty 47,003 78,488 10,767 29,153 104,023

Special Educational Needs

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils in Northern Ireland (i) have special educational needs and (ii) are eligible for free school meals; and what the equivalent figures are for the 100 (A) best and (B) worst performing (1) primary and (2) secondary schools.

Angela Smith: The requested information (2004–05) is as follows:
	
		Percentages of pupils with special educational needs and eligible for free school meals: all schools Percentage
		
			  Primary schools Post primary schools 
		
		
			 Pupils with special educational needs 18 10 
			 Pupils eligible for free school meals 20 20 
		
	
	
		Percentages of pupils with special educational needs and eligible for free school meals: top performing 100 schools Percentage
		
			  Primary schools Post primary schools 
		
		
			 Pupils with special educational needs 14 5 
			 Pupils eligible for free school meals 10 10 
		
	
	
		Percentages of pupils with special educational needs and eligible for free school meals: lowest performing 100 schools Percentage
		
			  Primary schools Post primary schools 
		
		
			 Pupils with special educational needs 27 16 
			 Pupils eligible for free school meals 41 32 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures relate to post primary pupils and pupils in nursery, reception and year 1–year 7 classes in primary schools.
	2.Top and lowest 100 performing schools were identified by ranking the percentage of pupils achieving Level 4 and above and Level 5 in Key Stage 2 assessments for primary schools, and by ranking the percentage of year 12 pupils achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A*–C for post primary schools.
	For nursery class pupils, pupils with a parent in receipt of jobseeker's allowance or income support" was used as a proxy for free school meal entitlement.

Action for Southern Africa Sanitary Appeal

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the impact of a lack of female sanitary products on growth in developing countries via effects on female economic productivity; and what steps he plans take to tackle this problem;
	(2)  what steps the Government are taking to tackle rising vaginal infections in developing countries due to a lack of female sanitary products;
	(3)  what aid is given for the supply of female sanitary products in developing countries.

Hilary Benn: The low availability and high cost of purpose-made female sanitary products for menstrual protection means that they are generally not used by poor women and girls in developing countries. In general, strips of old cloth are used to provide protection during menstruation. Critically, to ensure hygiene, comfort and to lessen vulnerability to reproductive tract infections these cloths must be clean and dry. However, a lack of basic infrastructure such as toilets and clean water combined with social taboos means that it is often difficult and embarrassing to wash and dry these cloths. Women and girls also face problems bathing due to lack of facilities that provide privacy. Consequently damp or even dirty rags are re-used.
	All people deserve the dignity of decent and private sanitation near their home. However, 2.6 billion people don't have it. DFID is working to increase poor people'saccess to clean water and basic sanitation and infrastructure.
	Adolescent girls also get inadequate preparation for the changes they face in puberty, including issues around menstrual health and hygiene. The silence around these discussions with young girls is linked to taboos around female sexuality. This is why DFID is supporting work in adolescent sexual and reproductive health. This includes fostering life skills that enable young girls and boys to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and to adopt healthy behaviours that enable them to avoid reproductive track, sexually transmitted infections (including HIV) and unintended pregnancy.
	DFID has not made an assessment of the impact of a lack of female sanitary products on economic growth and productivity. We are fully committed to working in ways that enable girls and women to reach their full potential. Investment in sexual and reproductive health is cost-effective. As well as direct health gains, better access to services can enable completion of education and access to economic opportunities by women and girls. This has immediate and longer term payoffs.

Contracts (Voluntary Sector)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many contracts are let by his Department to voluntary sector organisations; how many of those are let on an annual basis; and how many of those had received finalised contracts for 2006–07 by 31 March.

Gareth Thomas: The Department for International Development has three current contracts with voluntary sector organisations. Two were awarded in 2002 and the other in 2005. DFID does not let contracts on an annual basis and contract duration is specified in each case. The total does not include lower-value contracts let by DFID's overseas offices, of which we do not keep a central record; this information could not be obtained without incurring a disproportionate cost.
	These contracts do not include the considerable activity by NGOs which DFID funds directly through our Civil Society Challenge Fund, Partnership Programme Agreements, Humanitarian Assistance and in country through our country programmes.

Licence Fee (Analysis)

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to publish the analysis by consultants Pannell Kerr Forster of the BBC's licence fee; and if she will ensure that the publication date provides adequate time to enable interested parties to express views on the proposals before the level of the licence fee is determined.

Tessa Jowell: We intend to publish PKF's findings subject only to proper consideration of commercial confidentiality and in advance of the seminar on May 5.

Queen's Birthday

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department is taking abroad to encourage foreign tourism for the Queen's 80th birthday celebration.

James Purnell: My Department funds the work of VisitBritain in promoting tourism, to both the domestic and international markets, this includes Royal Events.
	The events marking the 80th birthday of the Queen have been promoted to the international media by VisitBritain and direct by their press officers overseas. This activity is aimed to encourage more foreign tourists to visit the UK during the Queen's 80th birthday celebrations.

A New Deal for Welfare

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the consultation deadline for the Green Paper A New Deal for Welfare is being extended to take account of the fact that it was not available in accessible format for disabled people until 28 February; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Disability Discrimination Act requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people can access their services. In line with this requirement, where individuals and organisations need more time to take part in the consultation, we will extend the deadline of 21 April to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to respond. We will continue to provide support to enable people to complete their response within the deadline.

Full-time/Part-time Workers

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time workers there were in the UK in each of the last 30 years.

Anne McGuire: The information is not available to cover the whole of the time period requested. Such information as is available is in the table:
	
		The number of full-time and part-time employees in the UKsince 1984 Thousands
		
			  In employment: full-time, UK In employment: part-time, UK 
		
		
			 1984 19,019 4,985 
			 1985 19,243 5,116 
			 1986 19,286 5,204 
			 1987 19,450 5,392 
			 1988 20,146 5,603 
			 1989 20,780 5,785 
			 1990 20,930 5,854 
			 1991 20,340 5,872 
			 1992 19,631 6,001 
			 1993 19,212 6,069 
			 1994 19,219 6,233 
			 1995 19,449 6,282 
			 1996 19,485 6,516 
			 1997 19,788 6,660 
			 1998 20,001 6,712 
			 1999 20,249 6,803 
			 2000 20,515 6,918 
			 2001 20,708 6,983 
			 2002 20,802 7,064 
			 2003 20,878 7,288 
			 2004 21,023 7,385 
			 2005 21,357 7,319 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The data is taken from the latest Labour Force Survey data.
	2.The Labour Force Survey is a survey of the population of private households, student halls of residence and NHS accommodation.
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey.

Poverty Statistics

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households with at least one full-time employee in (a) Wirral, West, (b) Wirral borough and (c) England are living in poverty.

Margaret Hodge: Specific information regarding low income for Government office regions of Great Britain is available in the latest publication of the 'Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 1994/95 to 2004/05', available in the Library. The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.
	The seventh annual 'Opportunity for all' report (Cm6673) sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and reports progress against a range of indicators. The data source does not allow us to provide robust estimates below regional level, therefore estimates for Wirral, West and Wirral borough are not available.
	Information on the numbers (in millions) of households in absolute and relative low income with at least one full-time employee in the north west and Merseyside region, and in England is shown in the following table as three-year averages. Relative low income is defined here as below 60 per cent. of the contemporary median income, and absolute low income is defined here as below 60 per cent. of 1996–97 median income which has been fixed in real terms.
	
		Number of households with incomes below 60 per cent. of GB median income and at least one household member in full-time employment in the north west and Merseyside and England—three-year average 2002–03 to 2004–05 Millions
		
			  Relative low income Absolute low income (1996–97 terms) 
			  Before housing costs After housing costs Before housing costs After housing costs 
		
		
			 North West and Merseyside 0.08 0.10 0.04 0.05 
			 England 0.6 0.9 0.4 0.5 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are provided using a three-year average, as single-year estimates do not provide a robust guide at regional level. Hence, figures may not be consistent with previously published single-year estimates.
	2.It is not possible to present estimates from the FRS below Government office region level due to small sample sizes, and the survey design not being fully representative at this level.
	3.Regional figures for the north west and Merseyside are rounded to the nearest 10,000 rather than the usual 100,000 as presented in the HBAI publication. This is because the standard approach does not give an informative view of changes over time at this level of disaggregation.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey (FRS)

Ministerial Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 23 March 2006, Official Report, column539W, on ministerial travel; if he will list the dates since 1 October 2005 when he has deemed it appropriate to travel by train.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 23 March 2006, Official Report, column 539W.

Parliamentary Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister how many and what percentage of written parliamentary questions in 2006 to date he has answered (a) by referring the questioner to an earlier answer and (b) by using the formula 'I have nothing further to add' to an earlier answer.

Tony Blair: This information is not held in the format requested. However, it is a matter of public record and can be found in the Official Report.

Departmental Policies

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Islington South and Finsbury constituency, the effects on Islington, South and Finsbury of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) does not hold separate expenditure data on Islington, South and Finsbury constituency.
	The Department has put in place a considerable programme of reforms and improvements across a wide range of housing, planning and regeneration policy areas since 1997. For example, ODPM is determined that everyone should have the opportunity to have a decent home and our strategy has meant that in 2004 the number of social sector non-decent homes in England had been reduced by around one million. Islington has set up an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) and is receiving additional funding through this for investing in its housing stock. It also has two housing PFI schemes tackling almost 5,000 street properties below the decent homes standard. Islington has reported to ODPM that the number of properties in its stock below the decent homes standard has reduced from 18,911 in 2002 to 15,213 in 2005.
	Islington has also received support for tackling deprivation through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, to enable it, in collaboration with its Local Strategic Partnership (LSPs), to improve services and has narrowed the gap with the rest of the country in its Key Stage 3 and GCSE results.
	The following table sets out the main payments made to London borough of Islington since the ODPM was established following the Machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002. For earlier years, the table shows the amount paid by ODPM's predecessor Departments from programmes which are now administered by the Office. It has been for London borough of Islington to determine how that allocation is spent, in line with its priorities.
	In addition to the amounts in the table, the London Development Agency (LDA) has spent some £21.3 million on projects in Islington between 2000–01 (when the LDA was first established) and 2004–05. The LDA receives around 80 per cent. of its funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
	
		Funding to LB of Islington
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1997–98 249.558 
			 1998–99 245.908 
			 1999–2000 247.479 
			 2000–01 250.750 
			 2001–02 284.595 
			 2002–03 289.622 
			 2003–04 328.321 
			 2004–05 351.733 
			 Total 2,247.966 
		
	
	In 2002, Islington signed a local public service agreement with the Government, whereby the Council undertook to achieve more testing targets in top priority services in return for reward grant. The Council will accordingly be paid £4.4 million of reward grant—£2.2 million of which it will receive very shortly.
	Islington's local area agreement was signed on 23 March, which will enable Islington and its partners to pool Government funding and work together more flexibly to deliver priority services for local people.

Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the operation of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations came into force in December 1997 and were amended in 1999. Since the introduction of the regulations, the number of fires in non-domestic premises in England and Wales has decreased from over 19,342 in 1997 to 16,212 in 2004. The number of enforcement notices served under section 13(1) of the regulations has increased from 87 in 1998–99 to over 1,100 in 2004–05 which reflects the risk-based approach to enforcement that the fire and rescue authorities have adopted. Although the number of deaths in non-domestic premises has remained fairly static, it is low (18in 2004). Non-fatal causalities have fallen from 1,159 in 1997 to 724 in 2004.

Relative Need

John Hemming: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reasons the system was changed from formula spending share to relative need factors.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member for Birmingham, Yardley to the statement I made to the House when announcing the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 627.

West Lancashire

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to west Lancashire constituency the effects in west Lancashire of changes to his Department's policies since 1997.

Phil Woolas: The Department has put in place a considerable programme of reforms and improvements across a wide range of policy areas. These changes have resulted in payments made to west Lancashire district council since 2002–03 (when the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was established following the Machinery of Government Changes on 29 May 2002) as shown in the following tables. It has been for the west Lancashire district council to determine how that allocation has spent, in line with their priorities.
	
		
			£ million 
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Revenue Funding for West Lancashire DC 
			 Neighbourhood Management Pathfinders 0.584 0.438 0.897 
			 Neighbourhood and Street Wardens 0.308 0.308 0.101 
			 Revenue Support Grant 2.760 4.280 4.690 
			 National Non-Domestic Rates 4.630 3.790 2.960 
			 Homelessness Grant 0.020 0.020 0.020 
			 Total 8.302 8.836 8.668 
			 
			 Capital Funding for West Lancashire DC
			 Local Government on Line 0.200 0.200 0.350 
			 Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme 0.264 0.338 1.087 
			 English Partnership projects 0.019 0.004 0.013 
			 Total 0.483 0.542 1.450 
			 
			 Housing Capital Allocations
			 Housing Supported Capital Expenditure 0.855 0.869 0.910 
			 Disabled Facilities Grant 0.169 0.222 0.243 
			 Private Sector Renewal Grant 0 0 0 
			 Total HIP allocation 1.024 1.091 1.153 
			 Major Repairs Allowance 4.398 4.296 4.302 
			 Total 5.422 5.387 5.455 
			 
			 Total 14.207 14.765 15.573 
		
	
	In addition since 1 April 2006 west Lancashire has been a partner in the local area agreement for the county. This has resulted in allocations as follows:
	The Cleaner Safer Greener Fund—£970,000 for 2006–07 and £1,130,000 for 2007–08 to be spent across the borough in order to address 'liveability' issues with a specific focus on narrowing the gap between the best and worst areas.
	The Neighbourhood Element Fund—£412,800 for 2006–07 and £516,000 for 2007–08, to be spent with a focus on neighbourhood management within the areas of Digmoor and Tanhouse in Skelmersdale.

Adult Education (Tooting)

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding has been allocated to adult education in Tooting in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The Department allocates funds for the post-16 education and training sector to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) working through 47 local offices. The LSC was established in 2001 bringing the planning and funding of post-16 education together under one body within a framework set by Government. In 2001–02 the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) spent£2,236 million on adult programmes including Further Education, Work Based Learning, Adult and Community Learning and other programmes in England. This increased to £2,427 million in 2002–03; £2,866 million in 2003–04; and £2,999 million in 2004–05. The Department does not hold figures for adult education funding at local or regional levels. Some of the information you require is available on the LSC's website. As the LSC is responsible for the planning and funding of post-16 learning, Mark Haysom, the council's chief executive has written to my hon. Friend with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 19 April 2006
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding funding allocated to adult education in Tooting in each year since 1997. I trust the following information is helpful.
	The LSC has calculated that the London Borough of Wandsworth will have received nearly £80 million allocated to adult education as a total funding amount from the LSC inception in 2001/02 to the indicative allocation for 2006/2007.
	We are not able to break this down by ward level and, therefore, these allocations are for the whole of Wandsworth and are not based on providers or residents based in the Tooting ward. The local authority itself may be able to provide further detail on adult participation/funding attracted at ward level.
	I have provided a table to show the 19+ funding recorded on the LSC allocations payment system (AMPs) from 2002/03 to the present indicative allocations for 2006/07. This has been set out for Further Education, Work Based Learning, and Adult and Community Learning. We have included the figures for 2001/02 assuming these were the same as 2002/03. There may be some small variation in the actual level of 2001/02 allocations, which could be verified if required.
	Funding allocations relating to adult education prior to the LSC would require searching the TEC records for WBL contracts, FEFC for further education and the DfES for Adult and Community Learning.
	
		Wandsworth £
		
			 Sector 2006/07(30) 2005/06 2004/05 2003/04 2002/03 2001/02(31) 
		
		
			 Work based learning   
			 RW Rechere 15,000 15,000 10,000 0 0 0 
			 LB of Wandsworth 19,000 19,000 35,000 36,000 29,873 18,201 
			 South Thames College 28,754 29,987 36,802 37,829 29,307 30,000 
			 Jace 128,000 128,000 112,000 120,000 76,911 78,227 
			 Total 190,754 191,987 193,802 193,829 136,091 126,428 
			
			 Further education   
			 South Thames College 11,546,996 12,000,568 11,902,864 10,801,014 10,155,823 10,155,823 
			 St. Francis Xavier 118,917 125,543 142,404 132,000 119,800 119,800 
			 Total 11,665,913 12,126,111 12,045,268 10,933,014 10,275,623 10,275,623 
			
			 Adult and community learning   
			 LSC funds through LB Wandsworth, including family and  Neighbourhood learning programmes 1,783,749 1,908,715 1,907,390 1,838,354 1,736,892 1,736,892 
			
			 Grand total 13.,640,416 14,226,813 14,146,460 12,965,197 12,148,606 12,138,943 
			
			 All year total 79,266,435 — — — — — 
		
	
	(30)Indicative.
	(31)Assumed allocations prior to LSC AMPs records.

Child Protection

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people have been (a) referred to and (b) included on the (i) Protection of Children Act 1999 list and (ii) the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list since 8 January; and how many of these referrals have been cases of individuals previously referred to each list but not previously included on them.

Ruth Kelly: Decisions to employ individuals in regulated child care settings are a matter for individual employers. There are strong safeguards in place. For example, enhanced CRB checks are mandatory and provide important protection revealing whether any individual has any past police cautions or convictions as well as other local police information.
	Since 8 January, 44 people have been referred to the Protection of Children Act list. Of these 44 none have so far been included as the cases are on-going. One has been referred to Protection of Children Act list previously but not included. No one provisionally listed on the Protection of Children Act list is able to work with children whilst their cases are being examined.
	Since 8 January 13 people have been included on Protection of Children Act list all of which are from referrals made before that date.
	Matters to do with the Protection of Vulnerable Adults are for my colleague, the right hon. Secretary of State for Health.
	The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill will introduce a new vetting and barring scheme which will strengthen the system still further.

China (Inter-country Adoption)

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made in resolving the dispute with the Chinese Government overthe terms of the standard letter of no objection for inter-country adoption; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: We understand that there are several British expatriates living in China and wanting to adopt through the Chinese domestic system. The Chinese government has asked for a certificate confirming that these persons are suitable to adopt. In the absence of an assessment completed by an adoption agency in accordance with UK law, it is not possible for the Government to confirm to the Chinese authorities the suitability of such a person to be an adoptive parent. If a certificate were issued without a thorough assessment, this might result in the placement of a child with a person who has not been assessed and approved to adopt—and who could be manifestly unsuitable. Without a certificate, however, the Chinese government will not allow British expatriates to adopt.
	We have agreed to work with the Chinese government to find a mutually agreeable form of words that do not amount to an assurance of a person's suitability to adopt but would satisfy Chinese law. Although this is taking longer than originally hoped, significant progress has been made and we remain hopeful of bringing this matter to a successful conclusion.

Departmental Staff

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of (a) staff and (b) new staff employed in (i)her Department and (ii) each of the agencies for which she has responsibility were registered as disabled in each of the last three years for which data are available.

Maria Eagle: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the civil service by Department. These include data on the number of staff in Departments who have declared a disability.
	Declaration of a disability is voluntary.
	The latest available information at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the civil service website and the following addresses:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/publications/xls/disability_apr04_4nov04.xls
	for data relating to 1 April 2004, and
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/archive/index.asp
	for previous reporting periods.
	The number and proportion of new staff employed in my Department who declared a disability in each of the last three years is as follows:
	
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 2005/06 (32)— 2 
			 2004/05 (32)— 1 
			 2003/04 6 2 
		
	
	(32)In accord with civil service guidelines for disclosing equality data, numbers below 6 are not shown.

Educational Standards

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of progress made by schools in (a) deprived areas and (b) affluent areas in raising educational standards since 1996–97; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: We have seen significant progress in the narrowing of the attainment gap at GCSE between schools in deprived and affluent areas, compared with the situation in 1996–97. The Excellence in Cities (EiC) programme and excellence clusters were introduced in 1999 and 2000, respectively, to target areas of significant deprivation. Between 2001, the year in which the 3rd phase of EiC began, and 2005, the percentage of pupils achieving 5+A*-C at GCSE/GNVQ and equivalents in EiC areas increased by nearly 10 percentage points, rising from 39.8 percentage in 2001, to 49.4 percent (provisional) in 2005. The rate of improvement in non-EiC schools over the same period was around 5percentage points, rising from 52.2 per cent. in 2001 to 57 percent (provisional) in 2005.
	As shown in the following table, performance data also indicates that the schools with the highest proportions of disadvantaged pupils, as assessed by free school meal (FSM) entitlement, have made more improvement than those with the lowest proportions. This improvement is evident, both at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 in English and Maths; and at GCSE/GNVQ.
	
		Improvements in attainment made by low and high FSM schools between 1996 and 2004 across key stage tests
		
			  Schools with Low FSM Improvement in attainment between 1996–2004 (percentage) Schools with High FSM Improvement in attainment between 1996–2004 (percentage) 
		
		
			 KS2 English L4+ threshold 8% or less pupils eligible for FSM 14 50% or more pupils eligible for FSM 28 
			 KS2 Maths L4+ threshold 8% or less pupils eligible for FSM 14 50% or more pupils eligible for FSM 28 
			 KS3 English L5+ threshold 5% or less pupils eligible for FSM 10 50% or more pupils eligible for FSM 19 
			 KS3 Maths L5+ threshold 5% or less pupils eligible for FSM 10 50% or more pupils eligible for FSM 27 
			 GCSE/GNVQ 5+ A*–C threshold 5% or less pupils eligible for FSM 5 50% or more pupils eligible for FSM 15

Head Teachers

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether (a) the Government or (b) local education authorities can direct a school governing body to dismiss a headteacher.

Jacqui Smith: In almost all circumstances the dismissal of a head teacher is a matter for the Governing Body of the school. However, in exceptional circumstances, there is limited scope for this decision to be taken in conjunction with the local authority, or at their suggestion. This may happen when the school's delegated budget has been suspended or it is determined that the head teacher has failed to secure the National Professional Qualification for Headship within set limits. Additionally, in the most extreme circumstances the Government can become directly involved. Where it can be clearly shown that a Governing Body has acted illegally in not dismissing a head teacher, the Secretary of State has the power under Section 496 and 497 of the Education Act 1996 to intervene and direct the Governing Body to dismiss the head teacher.

Liverpool Learning Service

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on (a) the finances of and (b) the redundancy programme announced at the Liverpool Learning Service.

Phil Hope: The responsibility for the finances and staffing of the Liverpool Adult Learning Service rests with Liverpool City Council. Overall we have made clear in the White Paper, Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances that our priorities for the funding of adult learning are high quality learning opportunities targeted at those who need help most, that is those adults without effective literacy and numeracy or without the employability skills embodied in a first full Level 2 qualification. It is the responsibility of the Learning and Skills Council to meet these national priorities in the light of local needs, ensuring that it only contracts for good quality provision.

Cancer

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was from diagnosis to first treatment for people from York diagnosed with (a) breast and (b) all cancers in (i) 1997 and (ii) on the latest date for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: Average waiting times for the treatment of cancer patients are not collected centrally. A cancer waiting times standard of a maximum wait of 31 days from diagnosis to first cancer treatment was introduced for breast cancer from December 2001 and for all cancer patients from December 2005. Data for York Hospitals National Health Service Trust show that in the last quarter, October to December 2005, 100 per cent. of women with breast cancer and 97.2 per cent. of all cancer patients were treated within this standard. Data on cancer waiting times was not collected centrally in 1997.

Cancer

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many specialist cancer (a) doctors and (b) nurses were employed by the NHS in York in (i) 1997 and (ii) in the latest year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS): Doctors (38) working within the six main cancer specialties in North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire strategic health authority England at 30 September each yearNumber (headcount)
		
			   1997 2004 
		
		
			 England  5,180 7,597 
			 of which:
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern  Lincolnshire Q11 90 173 
			 of which:
			 York Hospitals National Health Service  Trust RGB 19 27 
			 Selby and York Primary Care Trust 5E2 0 2 
		
	
	(38)Doctors includes (among others) consultants, non-consultant career grades and doctors in training and equivalents.
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre—medical and dental workforce census

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in (a) Hull North constituency and (b) Kingston-upon-Hull have had to wait more than (i) one month, (ii) two months and (iii)three months for an appointment with the child and adolescent mental health service in the last 12 months.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.

Cholesterol

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the percentage of adults in West Lancashire with high cholesterol levels.

Liam Byrne: The information is not available in the format requested. Data on cholesterol levels is available from the Health Survey for England (HSE). The most recent data available on cholesterol is 2003, as this is the last year where the HSE focused on cardiovascular disease.
	The results in the table show the mean total cholesterol levels for adults for England and the North West Government Office Region, broken down by gender for 2003.
	
		Mean total cholesterol levels(39)of adults(40) (age standardised), by gender, England and North West Government Office Region, 2003 Aged 16 and over with a valid cholesterol measurement
		
			 Blood cholesterol (mmol/l) England North West 
		
		
			 Men 5.5 5.4 
			 Women 5.6 5.5 
			 Bases (weighted)   
			 Men 4,020 551 
			 Women 4,249 568 
		
	
	(39)Include people on lipid-regulating drugs.
	(40)Adults aged 16 and over.
	All blood sample data are weighted for non-response with a weight specifically applied to all those whose gave a blood sample.
	Source:
	Health Survey for England 2003. Department of Health

Choose and Book System

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the letter from her Department's Director of Access of 26 January 2006, on Choose and Book, which NHS trusts are unable to implement an integrated patient administration systems solution; for what reasons these Trusts are unable to do so; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: For valid technical or commercial reasons, a small number of national health service trusts are currently not expected to be able to achieve a fully compliant integrated solution during 2006. Details are shown in the table.
	
		
			 NHS Trust Detail 
		
		
			 Gateshead Health NHS Trust  
			 Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust Current PAS supplier has no plans to make a compliant system 
			 Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust  
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust  
			 Clatterbridge Center for Oncology NHS Trust As a specialist hospital receiving mostly tertiary referrals, no plans to move to a compliant PAS 
			 Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust  
			 Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital1/2  
			 Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust Current PAS cannot be made compliant but plan indicates that the local 
			 Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust service provider's PAS will be available for Choose and Book in March 2007 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust1/2  
			 Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals Trust  
			 Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases Very low volume booking so business case for moving to integrated PAS is not viable 
		
	
	In due course, a fully compliant integrated solution will be implemented in these trusts. In the meantime, the choose and book indirectly bookable services' solution will be utilised.

Consultancy Fees

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost to her Department of consultancy fees in relation to (a) restructuring and (b) private finance initiatives has been since 1997.

Liam Byrne: pursuant to the reply, 27 March 2006, c.783–84W
	I regret that my previous reply was incorrect. It should read as follows:
	The Department does not collect information that would allow for an analysis of the consultants engaged in restructuring and could not obtain this information without incurring disproportionate costs.
	The total spend on consultancy work directly related to private finance initiative in each year is shown in the table.
	
		
			  £ 
			 Financial year Cost 
		
		
			 1999–2000 108,824 
			 2000–01 60,379 
			 2001–02 168,277 
			 2002–03 207,171 
			 2003–04 892,859 
			 2004–05 89,698 
			 2005 to date 47,856

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on external consultants and advisers by (a) her Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which her Department is responsible and (c) each independent statutory body, organisation and body financially sponsored by her Department in each year since May 1997.

Liam Byrne: The total cost of external consultancy services procured by the Department, where in-house resources were not available, is shown in the table.
	
		
			  £000 
			  Cost 
		
		
			 1999–2000 8,718 
			 2000–01 6,852 
			 2001–02 7,056 
			 2002–03 7,266 
			 2003–04 10,031 
			 2004–05 12,800 
			 2005–06 to date (41)4,658 
		
	
	(41)The 2005–06 spend is lower because the Department has rectified some miscoding against the expenditure category codes to provide a more accurate figure of external consultancy spend to 31 January 2006.
	Note:
	Information is not available prior to 1999–2000.
	The Department holds no central record of spend on external consultancy services by non-departmental public bodies, executive agencies, independent statutory bodies or organisations financially sponsored by the Department. The annual accounts for these organisations may include expenditure on consultants; copies of accounts can be obtained from individual organisations.

Grievance Procedures

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many grievance procedures have been initiated in the Department in each of the last three years.

Liam Byrne: The Department has records of eight grievances in 2005. For reasons of confidentiality, the number of cases has been suppressed for 2006. None were initiated in 2004.

Health Services (North Northamptonshire)

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions her Department has had with the Growth Areas Directorate in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister concerning additional provision of NHS health care in North Northamptonshire.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has had no direct discussions with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister concerning additional provision of national health service health care in North Northamptonshire. However, the Department has regular six-monthly meetings with the growth area team at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Health Treatment Centres

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for the expansion of independent sector treatment centres.

Liam Byrne: There are 15 contracts currently underway for the provision of 30 independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) facilities, with the remainder being fully operational during 2006 and 2007. A second phase of procurement was launched in March 2005 and this additional capacity will be provided through a variety of facilities, such as existing ISTCs, newbuild centres, refurbishments and existing national health service facilities over the next five years.

Maternal and Child Health

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the findings of the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health to be published; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The confidential enquiry into maternal and child health runs a series of programmes which report at different times. It plans to publish its annual perinatal mortality monitoring report for 2005 by the end of 2006.

Radiotherapy

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact on patients' prognoses of delays in the commencement of radiotherapy treatment; and what steps she plans to take to speed up the commencement of treatment for those patients requiring radiotherapy.

Rosie Winterton: Data on waiting times for radiotherapy is not collected centrally, nor is the impact of delays in radiotherapy treatment. We know from a recent audit by the Royal College of Radiologists, that waiting times for radiotherapy in some parts of the country are unacceptably long but that the situation is improving. The NHS Cancer Plan sets out maximum waiting time targets for cancer treatment which may include radiotherapy where this is given as a first definitive treatment. From December 2005, there is a maximum two-month wait from urgent referral to treatment and a maximum one-month wait from diagnosis to first treatment for all cancers.
	To tackle radiotherapy waiting times, we are increasing the numbers of therapy radiographers in post and in training, making better use of existing staff, making unprecedented investment in new radiotherapy equipment, and streamlining the patient journey. Professor Mike Richards, the national cancer director, is also currently working with Royal Colleges, professional bodies, cancer networks and trusts through the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group, who are looking into radiotherapy provision and will be reporting in the summer on recommendations for long-term solutions for the future.

Worcestershire Royal Hospital

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, c. 726W, on Worcestershire Royal Hospital, when the west Midlands South Strategic Health Authority will write to the hon. Member for west Worcestershire as indicated in the reply.

Rosie Winterton: West Midlands South Strategic Health Authority wrote to the hon. Member on 19 April 2006.